Book Week Scotland is upon us and we’ve got loads of events going on for all of you to help celebrate Scottish Publishing this week. Full details of all the events we’ve got going on are below!
Des Dillon Live; Tuesday 26 November 2013, 7.30PM
Kilwinning Library, St. Winnings Lane, Kilwinning KA13 6EP
Join Des Dillon, author of ‘Singin’ I’m No’ a Billy He’s a Tim‘ and stand up comic, for an evening of fun and frivolity as part of Book Week Scotland.
An Illustrated Talk with Peter Wright; Tuesday 26 November 2013, 7.30PM
The Library at the Penicuik Centre, 39A Carlops Road, Penicuik, EH26 9EP
Join Peter Wright for an illustrated talk about his new book Nature’s Peace, which invites readers to experience the majesty of Scotland’s Watershed and to share in Wright’s passion for the spectacular landscape of this intriguing geographical feature.
Admission is free, all welcome. No reservations are required.
Sir Alexander Stone Lecture in Rhetoric; Wednesday 27 November 2013, 6.00PM-8.00PM
Sir Charles Wilson Lecture Theatre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow
John MacKay, anchor, presenter, experienced journalist and best-selling author of The Road Dance, Heartland and Last of the Line, discusses the moving media landscape of the last 25 years, drawing on his vast knowledge of working in the Scottish media.
The event is free and open to the public, however you must register online.
Blossom: What Scotland Needs to Flourish; Friday 29 November 2013, 12.00-13.00
Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum
Acclaimed journalist and broadcaster Lesley Riddoch discusses her new book, Blossom: What Scotland Needs to Flourish. In the book, Lesley looks at the way in which Scots identify themselves and how this needs to change in order for the country to ‘blossom’ – as an independent nation or a strongly devolved one.
Designed to incite discussion and debate, this book will appeal to those who believe larger issues of self esteem and power lurk beneath the complexities of the independence debate and want to delve deeper.
Tickets are £3 and can be purchased here.
Independent Minds: Prison, Poems and Politics – Does the removal of liberty include losing the right to vote?; Friday 29 November 2013, 6.30PM – 9.00PM
The Mitchell Library, North St, Glasgow G3 7DN
The founder and editor of the Rebel Inc Magazine Kevin Williamson, has worked with the population of HMP Kilmarnock to produce a provoking and thoughtful anthology in collaboration with the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. This event will see the launch of this anthology alongside a debate chaired by poet and novelist Des Dillon, author of ‘Singin’ I’m No’ a Billy He’s a Tim‘ , on whether prisoners should have the right to vote in today's society. What do you think?
Paraig MacNeil; Friday 29 November 2013, 10.30AM – 1.00PM
The Mitchell Library, North St, Glasgow G3 7DN
Paraig MacNeil, author of Brainheart: A Salutation in Rhyme Metrically Mirroring and Lauding Scotland’s Heroes and Heroines of Innovation and Discovery in a Celebration of Their Contributions to the Good of the Human Race has been described as a spinner o’ yarns and weaver o’ words. The folksy story teller is also known to thrown in a few auld songs in his lively storytelling session. Join Paraig to celebrate Book Week Scotland 2013.
Admissions free, all welcome.
Look Up Glasgow/ A Glasgow Mosaic – Cultural Icons of the City Adrian Searle and Ian R Mitchell; Saturday 30 November 2013, 1.30PM-3.00PM
The Mitchell Library, North St, Glasgow G3 7DN
Rarely do Glasgow’s residents take the time to stop and look up at the extraordinary architectural heritage all around us. Adrian Searle explores the hidden jewels of ‘the second city of the Empire’ while Ian R Mitchell’s third instalment in a trilogy of works on Glasgow presents a broad view of Glasgow’s rich industrial, social and intellectual history exploring the City’s forgotten icons.
Admissions free, all welcome.
Lesley Riddoch: Blossom: What Scotland Needs to Flourish; Saturday 30 November 2013, 2.00PM-3.00PM
Oxgangs Library, 343 Oxgangs Road North, Edinburgh, EH13 9LY
Weeding out vital components of Scottish identity from decades of political and social tangle is no mean task, but it’s one award-winning broadcaster and journalist Lesley Riddoch has undertaken. Join Lesley for the afternoon to discuss Blossom: What Scotland Needs to Flourish, which explores the way in which Scots identify themselves and how this needs to change in order for the country to ‘blossom’ – as an independent nation or a strongly devolved one. Come along for a lively discussion and get engaged in the debate leading up to the most significant democratic event in Scotland’s history – the Referendum. It’s your Scotland. Get involved.